P21 million worth of smuggled cigarettes seized off Zamboanga City, 3 arrested

Authorities seized smuggled cigarettes valued at P21.248 million and apprehended three individuals on a boat off Zamboanga City.

The confiscation occurred during a joint seaborne patrol by the PNP's 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company (Seaborne), the Regional Maritime Unit 9, Regional Special Operations Unit, 904th Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, and Zamboanga City Police Station 4 near Manalipa Island.

A motorized boat, identified as a 'jungkung' and marked 'Columbia', was found laden with 332 master cases of undocumented cigarettes of two brands, consisting of 137 master cases of one popular brand and 195 master cases of another.

The three Filipino crew members were arrested for failing to present necessary documents for the cargo.

PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated, "This seizure shows that illegal trade has no place in our waters. We will relentlessly safeguard our borders and the lawful economy from those who attempt to profit outside the law."

The seized boat and the apprehended individuals were brought to the 2nd ZCMFC and Zamboanga City Police Station 4, respectively, for further proceedings.